RICA’s Cafe – at The Henry Hotel, Cebu

The Henry Hotel is alongside the other famous boutique hotels under the management of Hospitality Innovators, Inc. I’ve always been a fan of this group that keeps alive the spirit of Art be it modern, vintage or contemporary. Picasso Hotel in Makati focused on Picasso’s timeless pieces while Azumi Hotel in Alabang has a unique charm, a little bit more modern, and these two are just among the other Hotels they came up with to mention a few. The latest that they tossed-off is The Henry Hotel which is located in Cebu.

The facade..

I have listed it down in my places to visit per year, and not having a glitch in my memory, the red guy has definitely tormented me for months.

The famous red guy.. I saw 3 from the north too.. Somewhere in Tuguegarao. =)

And even before setting my wandering feet here again, they came up with another which is located in Pasay City. Just an hour away from home. Still, my heart absolutely yearns for the one in Cebu. After which, I’ll visit the one in Harrison, Pasay City. The place is so full of life, modern life if I may say, ironically, the quirkiness of the place – from vintage elements and pieces of prevailing trends, the eclectic combination of the two eras enjoined resulted into a very bubbly place.

Guess who is this blondie?A simple wall art nailed it..A touch of red here and there..

It speaks for itself. And as a proof, it became so illustrious and famous which only means that the idea clicked in the market in every sense of the word. I would run out of time researching for modern vibes utilized in Architecture and Interior design both local and abroad that inspired the place. And I found myself in awe as to how the designer of this hotel conceptualized how the space will imbibe such wit and beauty and function combined.

Central lobby..

Colors aren’t flashy even the famous red guy, he is literally bold red right? Though the theme calls for it that he will have to take the center of attention so to speak.

Me with Mr. Red!

I am grateful to be in Cebu several times so I am no longer that girl with a map stuck on my nose for the most of the day.

Life in a suitcase..Focal point of the dining area..Symmetry at the bar..Transparency…Stocks of Campbells and McCormicks..

As for the items in their menu, we couldn’t help but praise ourselves for picking the best ones with the help of one of their charming attendant. Please check for yourself: Much as I want to sit in those chairs that I’m eyeing to see for the longest time, we opted to choose a different table.

The long table perhaps is of course meant for big groups. And besides I saw a “reserve” signage on it so I didn’t insist. And I really don’t mind. We were given a more private corner of our own.

Menu..

The complimentary appetizer is awesome for a start. If we could ask for more, we will, but just as we took the last bite of the focacia flat bread sticks, our orders has arrived.

Focacia flat bread sticks for a start..Mozzarella inside..

As an appetizer, we had what they call – cheese cigars. With its’ excruciating degree of creaminess due to its’ mozzarella fillings.

Oh so tender… Angus beef tapa for tatty..4 cheese pizza for Echo..Lengua estofado…I was tongue-tied..=)One of their best sellers.. Brazo de Mantecado..Enticingly delicious..A corner for liquor lovers too..

These viands are actually stuff we are very familiar with like a tradition, and it requires more than just a word. It evokes how many painstakingly trial and errors before they came up with the final recipe and they are all just right, well for my taste bud if I may say. Besides, the two men with me were 2 thumbs up, meaning they enjoyed just what we have consumed in no time.

Happy tummy!Solve!

There is this certain angst when I am the one recommending, since I haven’t tried Rica’s yet, I am hoping at the back of my mind that their food is good!!! There is no point in convincing them verbally as it is seen on their faces, knowing how picky these two can be.

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beautsantua

-An only daughter. A mother of an 18 year old son. Passionate with so many things. A lover of life itself. First of which is to write. Then, sing (I specifically love the stage), read, cook, travel & take beautiful pictures (photography) and scrap booking, all of which are my own way of coping with life's challenges. Friends usually associate me with the color violet. I love this color so much! Though, I love pink, red, teal, orange, yellow, blue as well! Coffee is my water and my happy food is cheesecake topped w/ blueberries, yogurt, sansrival and cream puff. I mastered fettuccine carbonara because that is one of my favorite food as well, along w/ broccoli, prawns and mushrooms. Secretly, I love "Stitch" - that grinning indigo pup. =) Seriously, I dream to become a philanthropist (starting off by providing shelter to street children in our country) and a famous author someday. I'm just waiting for God's time for my first book to be published.-
It took me years to decide to blog, more so to write and have it out in the open. As I used to write even when I was a teenager, and I just keep them on file. It was my outlet.
Approaching the year they say where life begins, or If I may say, the sweeter life. It was a year full of emotions. As I lost my father a year before and I guess in one way or another, the unfathomable sadness prompted me to pour them out in my writings and share them to the world, hoping it might lighten the heaviness of my heart.
I live now with my son and mother, as a mother and as a daughter (as a friend and a sister), this has made me be ready to finally do what I am meant to do. Even If there's a lot that I wanted to do. This came first, like a first love that occupied a special place in my heart. It's a looong process, tiring, frustrating, exciting. The best part? is the happiness it brings. Even if things around seems all so wrong. It's like having my own place under the sun. My own safe and happy rainbowed world.
At times, there's guilt as well, for I strongly believe, writing (like singing) is a talent God has gifted us. We ought to use it and maximize it, in our littlest way, share it to mankind, for His glory. I just had a few distractions over the years and to realize that it is never too late to be who we ought to be, I have this very strong feeling, now is the time.
All my life, I have decided on things that made me happy, this is one of those. I may never be a winner of those best blogs that have been awarded to talented writers/ bloggers and I don't mind, there are strikes of being envious, but according to my father, there are two kinds of being envy. There's envy that is so negative, it'll hamper you from doing good and there's an envy that makes you happy for them, or seeing yourself in their shoes, I think, the kind of envy in me, is the latter. Like celebrities who missed an Oscar, while the film was watched by the whole world, she/he did not mind, it's like knowing what counts best, and it's the capacity to share your talents to anyone who wants to receive it, without asking anything in return.
Expressing what's in my heart and mind on every occasion (which happens to be daily) and being happy about it is like a prize already.
Happy reading!(--,)
View all posts by beautsantua

Hi! I’m Beaut!

They used to call me “Laguna girl”. I grew up in San Pedro, Laguna in the Southern part of the Philippines. An only daughter with an only son.Passionate with so many things. A lover of life itself. First is to write. I used to sing (I specifically love the stage), I read a lot,

I cook simple to challenging recipes for my loved ones, I travel to capture breathtaking pictures (inheriting my passion in Photography from my late father), a nature lover, I find rainbows, butterflies,

flowers,

rainbows and trees as God’s most beautiful gifts.

I love it that traveling allows me try and learn cuisines that are new to me (being a foodie) and I get to meet different people too.

I do abstract painting, I am a Craft enthusiast (quilting & scrap-booking), all of which are my own way of expressing my love for life and surround myself with anything but pretty.

Blogging makes me happy and I want to see if I’m going to click in that premise. Sharing anything that might benefit my circle and mankind too, specifically my fellow Filipinos here and abroad.

I’m a color devotee and been in love with the color purple or violet.

I like pink, red and teal too! =) I dreamt of joining that team who does colorful outdoor murals. Or anything that has to do with the Arts.

Coffee is my water,

and my comfort food are: blueberry cheesecake, frozen yogurt, sansrival and cream puff. I mastered fettuccine carbonara because it is my favorite, along broccoli with prawns and mushrooms.

I love “Stitch” – that grinning indigo pup and still in love with Daryl (remember those muscles in the series “The Walking Dead”).

I have a sort of vintage taste for Interior Designing, Gardening and Fashion (must be the gypsy in me). I am awed by it validating my wondering if I am an old soul.

Ultimately, I intend to be a not so famous Author someday. I’m just waiting for God’s time for my first book to be published.

Please drop by for a comment or two, you are always welcome here, come fly with me “On Purple Wings!”(–,)

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